Frame system and method

ABSTRACT

A system for framing an artwork substrate includes a shoulder, a rib, and a spacer connected to the shoulder and the rib. An adhesive on the rib retains the artwork substrate in relation to the rib and within bounds of the shoulder. The rib may be shorter than the shoulder. Depending on the height of the rib in relation to the shoulder, the artwork substrate may be positioned on the rib inset below the shoulder, flush with the shoulder, or otherwise. The spacer offsets the rib from the shoulder, and the artwork substrate may be positioned with edges abutting the shoulder in a box arrangement or offset from the shoulder in a floating arrangement.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention generally relates to frames for pictures, artwork, photographs and the like, and more particularly relates to systems and methods for frame structure, construction, mounting, and display.

BACKGROUND

Frames provide a decorative edging to a picture, such as artwork, photographs, prints, and other display items. Picture and artwork frames may include a profiled or moulded edge, which may provide a traditional, contemporary, modern, or other stylized edge to a displayed picture or other item. The frames may be formed of wood, metal, plastic or other materials. Outward shapes of the frames may vary, for example, rectangular, oval or other shape is possible.

Conventional picture frames include a frame which has a rabbet groove formed on the inside edge at the rear into which the picture, as well as any overlaid glass or plastic plate, passe-partout (i.e., mat(s)), stretcher and/or back panel or other backing, can be inserted and held in place by retainers connected to the rear of the frame. The rabbet groove must accommodate the picture, as well as other items, whether the picture is a single flat panel, a stretcher and canvas, or other form. In use for display, the rabbet of the frame forms a lip extending over the picture, and groove walls that surround the picture.

Mounting of pictures, such as artworks, photographs, and the like, in a frame has conventionally required a number of steps. Those steps include forming the frame with the rabbet groove sufficient to accommodate the picture, any stretcher or other media substrate, passe-partout, glass, backing panel, and similar items, inserting the picture and any other items into the backside of the frame, positioning the picture and items in the rabbet groove to outwardly appear desirably centered, and fastening retainers to the rear of the assembly and frame. Streamline of these assembly steps would be desirable, particularly for mass-produced framed pictures.

One particularly popular type of frame, providing a particularly stylish way to display canvas art mounted on a stretcher assembly, is known as a “floater” frame. The floater frame creates the illusion that the picture is floating within the frame. A conventional floater frame is an L-shaped (in cross section) frame in which artwork mounted on a stretcher is centered in the L-shape to give the artwork a floating appearance within the frame. Although the conventional floater frame is desirable for display of pictures, additional steps required for mounting include forming the stretcher, placing the canvas or other media on the stretcher, and forming the L-shape of the frame of sufficient depth to accommodate the stretcher and media in a desirable float arrangement. These additional steps, coupled with complexities of forming the L-shape frame of proper proportions to accommodate variably sized stretcher and media substrates and centering of the stretcher or other media in the frame for floating appearance, have made mass-production impractical.

It would, therefore, be a significant improvement in the art and technology to provide frame systems and methods for front and suspended mounting of pictures, artwork and other items of various types and proportions of media substrates.

SUMMARY

An embodiment of the invention is a system for framing an artwork substrate. The system includes a shoulder, a rib, and a spacer connected to the shoulder and the rib.

Another embodiment of the invention is a method of framing an artwork substrate. The method includes extruding a length of frame comprised of a shoulder, a rib, and a spacer connected to the shoulder and the rib, cutting the length of frame to segments for forming a frame enclosure, connecting the segments to form the enclosure, positing an adhesive on an upper surface of the rib, and placing the artwork substrate on the rib selectively positioned within the shoulder of the frame enclosure.

Yet another embodiment of the invention is a system for framing an artwork substrate. The system includes an enclosure formed of a frame having a profile comprising a shoulder, a rib, and a spacer connected to the shoulder and the rib. The artwork substrate is attachable to the rib, with the shoulder surrounding the artwork substrate.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is illustrated by way of example and not limitation in the accompanying figures, in which like references indicate similar elements, and in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a system for framing a picture, artwork or the like, according to certain embodiments;

FIG. 2 illustrates a cross section view of an edge of a system for framing a picture, artwork or the like, according to certain embodiments;

FIG. 3 illustrates an exploded view of a system for framing and front disposition of the picture during mounting in the system, according to certain embodiments;

FIG. 4 illustrates a method for framing a picture, artwork or the like, according to certain embodiments;

FIGS. 5A-D illustrate several non-exclusive examples of cross-section view profiles of an edge of a system for framing a picture, artwork or the like, according to certain embodiments;

FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of a system for framing a picture, artwork or the like, together with artwork panel as substrate media, arranged as a floater frame offset to edge, according to certain embodiments; and

FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of a system for framing a picture, artwork or the like, together with artwork panel as substrate media, arranged as a box frame flush to edge, according to certain embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description refers to certain specific embodiments; however, the specific embodiments are merely illustrative and variations and changes may be made in the embodiments without diverting from the broad scope encompassed by the disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 1, a system 100 for framing a picture, such as a photograph, painting (including but not limited to canvas mounted on stretcher), print or other artwork on a media substrate, includes a frame 102 of a modified U-shaped profile 104 (shown in detail in FIGS. 2 and 5). The frame 102 having the profile 104 includes an outer upstanding shoulder 106. The shoulder 106 forms an edge around a picture media when the system 100 is employed in framing the picture.

The upstanding shoulder 106 is connected at a bottom edge of the shoulder 106 (rearward edge in the view of FIG. 1), to a spacer 108. The spacer 108 extends from the bottom edge of the shoulder 106 a distance 108 a, to connect to an upstanding mounting rib 110. In certain embodiments, a height 110 a (from rearward edge in view of FIG. 1) of the mounting rib 110 is selected to accommodate a media substrate (not shown in FIG. 1), such as a media panel, stretcher and canvas, paper or sheet, foam board, or other as applicable, in desired float arrangement.

The frame 102 of the system 100 may be unitary segments of U-shaped profile 104 for forming sides of the frame 102, such as by joining the unitary segments in an enclosed shape of sides. For example, four sides may be joined by mitered ends to form a rectangle, three sides may be joined by mitered ends to form a triangle, or other shape is possible with extensions of the unitary segments. Alternately, each segment may be formed of more than one piece and built to form the U-shaped profile 104. For example, two or more pieces, such as separate shoulder 106, spacer 108 and/or rib 110 or otherwise, may be separately joined in configuration to form the U-shaped profile 104.

In certain embodiments, the U-shaped profile 104 (or separate pieces of build-up of the U-shaped profile 104) of the frame 102 may be an extruded length. The extruded length may be cut to form sides, as applicable, or bent or otherwise formed as edge. In certain other embodiments, the U-shaped profile 104 (or separate pieces of build-up of the U-shaped profile 104) may be molded in desired frame shape or as side portions of frame shape. The molded shape may itself form the frame in a desired edge shape for accommodating a picture.

In operation, the frame shape, or if segmented, joined segments forming the frame shape, provide edging for framing a picture. The picture may include a backing panel, a stretcher with canvas, rigid painted or printable substrate, or other media substrate. The media substrate is placed with edges near the shoulders 106 sufficient that the media substrate sits mounted on the rib 110 formed by the frame 102. The rib 110 may include an adhesive, double sided tape, or other adherent for maintaining the media substrate in place atop the rib 110. Depending on desired display of the picture, the media substrate in place atop the rib 110 may include a gap or distance between the edges and the shoulders 106. Additionally, height size of the rib 110 in relation to height size of the shoulder 106 may be varied to yield a desired display of the picture, as well as to accommodate particulars of substrate. Sizing of the frame 102 is possible for a variety of shapes and types of media substrate, as well as for desired display effects.

Referring to FIG. 2, in conjunction with FIG. 1, a frame cross-section 200 (taken along A-A′ of FIG. 1) is formed as a generally U-shape (e.g., the U-shaped profile 104 of FIG. 1). The cross-section 200 includes a shoulder 106 connected by a spacer 108 to a rib 110. The spacer 108 offsets the shoulder 106 from the rib 110 by a distance 108 a. The rib 110 is of height 110 a which is shorter in comparison to height of the shoulder 106, sufficient to accommodate a panel, canvas and stretcher or other media substrate (not shown in FIG. 2, but shown in FIGS. 3, 6 and 7).

Referring to FIG. 3, in conjunction with FIGS. 1 and 2, an artwork substrate 302, for example, a panel, canvas and stretcher, or other media item, is placed against and adhered to the rib 110 of the frame 102 formed of generally U-shaped cross-section segments, such as four segments. The artwork substrate 302 may include a rigid media having artwork directly printed thereon, such as by sublimation, UV, direct print or other application of imagery, or the media may have artwork laminated, embellished, or textured in a layered fashion. The artwork substrate 302 may also include a canvas on stretcher or the like. Of course, other artwork substrate 302, and other application of imagery, is possible.

The frame 102 includes the shoulder 106 connected to the rib 110 by the spacer 108 (not shown in detail) separating the shoulder 106 and the rib 110 by the distance 108 a. The distance 108 a may be selected for the particular frame 102 based on configuration of the frame 102 and the desired appearance of the artwork in the frame 102 and any effects, such as, for example, box frame in which the artwork substrate 302 appears to extend by edges thereof to the shoulder 106 of the frame 102, floater frame in which the artwork substrate 302 appears offset by edges from the shoulder 106 of the frame 102, or other. The distance 110 a may similarly be selected for the particular frame 102 based on configuration of the frame 102 and desired appearance of the artwork in the frame 102, such as, for example, the shoulder 106 may outwardly extend beyond the artwork substrate 302 when placed on the rib 110, the shoulder 106 may extend flush with the surface of the artwork substrate 302 when placed on the rib 110, or otherwise as desired.

Referring to FIG. 4, a method 400 of framing an artwork substrate includes moulding 402 lengths of a generally U-shaped cross-section profile, such as the profile 200 or other. The moulding 402 may include extruding vinyl, polyvinyl, nylon, plastic, polypropylene, metal or other material or combination of materials, via a die and press. The moulding 402 may alternately, or additionally, include forming lengths of portions of the generally U-shaped cross-section profile, such as forming respective lengths of rib, shoulder, and/or spacer and joining the respective lengths in manner to form the generally U-shaped cross-section profile. In certain alternatives, the moulding 402 may be by injection, extrusion, blow mold, rotational mold, compression, lamination, thermoforming, or other forming.

The lengths from moulding 402 are cut 404, for example, at angles, in segments of length to form a desired frame. For example, three, four, five or other number of segments may be cut 404 in order to obtain desired segment lengths and angles for forming a completed frame of desired shape. The segments are joined 406, for example, via the angles, to form the frame. Joining 406 of segments may be, for example, by glue, V-nails, staples, or other mechanism, to securely fix the segments in relation to other segments of the frame.

An artwork substrate, such as a rigid media panel, board, stretcher and canvas, or other, is adhered 408 to the rib of the formed frame. Glue, double sided tape, or other adherent is situated on the rib. The artwork substrate is positioned within the frame on the rib. The adherent connects the artwork substrate in desired relation to the frame, for example, with shoulder of the frame abutting edges of the substrate, with the shoulder of the frame offset (e.g., a gap) from the edges of the substrate, or as otherwise desired.

Referring to FIGS. 5A-D, certain non-exclusive examples of profile 500A-D each include a rib 502 a-d, respectively, a shoulder 504 a-d, respectively, connected by a spacer 506 a-d, respectively. The shoulders 504 a-d, respectively, exemplify certain non-exclusive variations. Other variations of the shoulders 504 a-d, as well as sizing of spacers 506 a-d and ribs 502 a-d, including distance and height, are possible. Particular shoulder, spacer and rib in any instance are subject to variation to provide desired frame result, in which an artwork substrate is positioned on the rib and surrounded (with either offset or no offset) by the shoulder in use.

Referring to FIG. 6, a system 600 includes a frame 102, such as that of FIG. 1 as an example, formed of four segments each having a shoulder 106, spacer 108 and rib 110. An artwork substrate 302 is mounted on the rib 110, providing a gap 602 between the shoulder 106 and the substrate 302. The four segments of the frame 102 are sized in lengths to form the frame 102 such that the shoulder 106 forms an outline of greater dimensions than the substrate 302, in order that the substrate 302 is mounted on the rib 110 to provide the gap 602. In this manner, the system 600 forms a floater frame type of framing in which the artwork substrate 302 has edges offset from the shoulder 106 by the gap 602.

Referring to FIG. 7, a system 700 includes a frame 102, such as that of FIG. 1 as an example, formed of four segments for framing an artwork substrate 302. The four segments each have a shoulder 106, spacer 108 (hidden behind the substrate 302), and rib 110 (also hidden behind the substrate 302). The four segments of the frame 102 are sized in lengths to form the frame 102 such that the shoulder 106 forms an outline of about the same dimensions of the substrate 302. The substrate 302 mounted on the rib 110 provides little or no gap 702 between the shoulder 106 and the substrate 302. In this manner, the system 700 forms a box frame type of framing in which the artwork substrate 302 has edges abutting the shoulder 106 to limit the gap 702.

In certain non-exclusive alternatives, the systems and methods are incorporated, in whole or part, as a service or product. In other non-exclusive alternatives, the systems and methods are incorporated, in whole or part, in or with a turn-key product or service, or a sale, rental, or other application or scheme. Although particular units, modules, or other elements are illustrated as unitary (or not) in the embodiments, it is contemplated that certain of those units, modules or other elements may be included in whole or part as features that interact with or incorporate other units, modules or elements (including, for example, third party parts or elements) or that are combined in whole or part with other units, modules or elements.

In the foregoing, the invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate, however, that various modifications, substitutions, deletions, and additions can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the specification and figures are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense, and all such modifications substitutions, deletions, and additions are intended to be included within the scope of the invention. Any benefits, advantages, or solutions to problems that may have been described above with regard to specific embodiments, as well as device(s), connection(s), step(s) and element(s) that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced, are not to be construed as a critical, required, or essential feature or element. 

1. A system for framing an artwork substrate, consisting essentially of: a shoulder; a rib forming an upper surface exclusively connectable to the artwork substrate; and a spacer connected to the shoulder and the rib, the spacer laterally offsets the rib from the shoulder.
 2. The system of claim 1, further consisting essentially of: an adhesive on the upper surface of the rib for retaining the artwork substrate on the upper surface of the rib and within bounds of the shoulder.
 3. The system of claim 2, wherein the rib is shorter than the shoulder, sufficient to receive the artwork substrate flush to the shoulder.
 4. The system of claim 2, wherein the rib is shorter than the shoulder, sufficient to receive the artwork substrate inset to the shoulder.
 5. (canceled)
 6. The system of claim 1, wherein the artwork substrate is retained on the rib forming a gap between the shoulder and the artwork substrate.
 7. The system of claim 1, wherein the shoulder includes an ornamental profile.
 8. A method of framing an artwork substrate, comprising: extruding a length of frame of exclusively a shoulder, a rib, and a spacer connected to the shoulder and the rib for laterally offsetting the rib from the shoulder; cutting the length of frame to segments for forming a frame enclosure; connecting the segments to form the enclosure; positing an adhesive on an upper surface of the rib; and placing the artwork substrate on the upper surface of the rib selectively positioned within the shoulder of the frame enclosure.
 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the extruding includes separately forming a portion of the frame selected from the group of: the shoulder, the rib, and the spacer; wherein the extruding further includes connecting the portion of the frame to obtain the length of frame comprised exclusively of the shoulder, the rib and the spacer.
 10. The method of claim 8, wherein the positing includes applying a double sided tape to an upper surface of the rib.
 11. The method of claim 8, wherein the cutting includes angling the segments to form corners when connected.
 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the connecting includes joining the segments to form corners of the enclosure.
 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the joining includes V-nailing the angled segments to form the corners of the enclosure.
 14. The method of claim 8, wherein the placing includes positioning the artwork substrate on the rib and substantially flush to an upper extent of the shoulder.
 15. The method of claim 8, wherein the placing includes positioning the artwork substrate on the rib and inset below an upper extent of the shoulder.
 16. The method of claim 8, wherein the placing includes positioning the artwork substrate on the rib and forming a gap between the shoulder and the artwork substrate.
 17. The method of claim 8, wherein the placing includes positioning the artwork substrate on the rib with edges of the artwork substrate abutting the shoulder.
 18. A system for framing an artwork substrate, comprising: an enclosure formed of a frame having a profile of exclusively a shoulder, a rib forming an upper surface exclusively connectable to the artwork substrate, and a spacer connected to the shoulder and the rib, the spacer laterally offsets the rib from the shoulder; wherein the artwork substrate is attachable to the upper surface of the rib, with the shoulder surrounding the artwork substrate.
 19. The system of claim 18, wherein the artwork substrate is attached to the rib in a floating arrangement with the shoulder.
 20. The system of claim 18, wherein the artwork substrate is attached to the rib in a box arrangement with the shoulder. 